Category: budgeting

How the 80/20 Rule Helped Me Double My Income in Two Months

When I first read about the 80/20 rule, or the Pareto Principle, I had a healthy skepticism for it. I couldn’t wrap my head around how 80 percent of my work would only lead to 20 percent of results and that the remaining 20 percent of my efforts would lead to 80 percent of my…


Expired Gift Card? Know the Law & Maximize Your Gift Cards

Over the weekend I attended a birthday party for one of my best friends. After things wound down, we reflected on the day’s festivities. Overall, it was a success. But, he did confide to me that he wasn’t too keen on the number of gift cards he received. Of course, he was grateful for the…


101 Ways to Make an Extra $500 a Month With a Full Time Job

Whether you want to pay down your credit card debt or save money for your dream vacation, we could all use a little extra cash. Of course, finding that extra money can be a challenge when you are working 40 hours per week at your full-time job. Thankfully, there ways for you to earn an…


Charitable Gift Annuities

The other day I was running some errands and flipping through the radio. I stopped the dial once I heard the opening chords to “Band on the Run.” For those who are unfamiliar, this was one of the biggest hits from Paul McCartney and Wings. And, the Foo Fighters also have a rocking cover version…


Get on Top of Planned Expenses With Sinking Funds

In a given year, you likely have expenses that you know are coming—holiday gifts, the family vacation you take every summer, annual homeowners association fees or maybe membership renewals. But just because these costs are predictable doesn’t mean you’re always prepared. If you are pulling from your emergency fund or using a credit card to…


3 Steps to Breaking Unhealthy Money Habits

Some bad habits affect our physical health, like smoking, nail biting, or eating too much junk food. But others take a toll on our financial health. How do you know if you have unhealthy financial habits, and what can you do to build better ones? Take these three steps. Dig Into Your Relationship with Money…


Use Your Tax Refund to Knock Down Debt, Lift Your Finances

So you’re expecting a tax refund this year. With inflation driving up the price of gas, food, and nearly everything else, that extra money can’t come soon enough. The hard part is deciding how to spend it. Should you invest the money? Book a trip? If you really want to do yourself a favor, use…


5 Simple Ways to Teach Kids About Money

I was blessed to grow up in a home where my siblings and I were taught wise money habits (would you really expect anything else from Dave Ramsey’s family?). And even though I didn’t always love the lessons on saving and budgeting as a kid, that knowledge set me up for success as an adult….


Seven Simple Savers

Seven Simple things that can reduce your household costs by an easy 10% This sounds tricky. You’re careful with money. You don’t go out shopping without reason. You plan days out. Here’s how to reduce your household bills by 10% without feeling too miserly or making your life a misery. This advice isn’t specific to…


Frugal Luxuries Here’s How I Live as Luxuriously as I Can

Frugal Luxuries That Make Me Feel Rich Even Though I Live on a Budget When you’re frugal and living beneath your means, it’s easy sometimes to get frugal fatigue. You have been at this money saving lark for years on end and you could, if you’re not careful, overspend and be back to running up…